1598
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Rape of a Sabine Woman (View from Behind) is a 1598 ink by Jan Muller, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a man grabbing a woman from behind as she struggles to get away. His arm is wrapped tight around her waist, and her left hand reaches out, while her body twists away. In the background, a small scene of people and buildings is barely visible, but the focus is on the raw movement of the two figures. The artist used sharp lines to show the tension in the woman’s muscles and the rough texture of the man’s hair. The scene looks dramatic and urgent, with no soft edges—just strong contrasts of light and shadow. This is a great example of engraving.
Jan Harmensz. Muller (1571–1628) was a Dutch engraver and painter. Muller was born in Amsterdam. His father was a book printer, engraver and publisher. He learned the engraving trade while working in the family…
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